Canon EOS 6D review: The best value for money in the EOS range?

Canon EOS 6D vs Nikon D600

This comparison sees the battle of a new market sector, that being the mid-range full-frame camera.

Straight in at the top of this sector, the Nikon D600 outscores the Canon EOS 6D in every testing metric. The DxOMark Overall Score of the Canon EOS 6D falls a fair way short of the Nikon D600 (82 vs 94).

The closest score between the two cameras is for Low-Light ISO, where the Canon EOS 6D scores 2340 to the Nikon D600’s 2980 – but this still represents a difference of almost 1/3rd stop. This is not to suggest the EOS 6D is a bad camera – far from it, but in comparison with the best in its sector, its image quality could be higher.

Canon EOS 6D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS-1D X

Canon now offers three full-frame CMOS sensor cameras within the EOS range. This could potentially confuse the buying decision; however the prices are very well stratified. So, how does the lowest priced model, the EOS 6D, fair against its more illustrious stable mates?

Interestingly, the overall DxOMark scores for the three models are very similar, with the EOS 6D actually matching the flagship EOS-1D X on a score of 82. Each of the three models has one area in the three testing metrics where it performs slightly better than the others. For the EOS 6D, this is in the Dynamic Range area, where it manages 12.1Evs to the EOS-1D X’s 11.8EVs and the EOS 5D Mark III’s 11.7Evs.

In terms of Color Depth, the EOS 5D Mark III comes out on top, scoring 24bits to the 23.8bits of both the EOS 6D and EOS-1D X. In the sports or low-light ISO area though, the EOS-1D X justifies its flagship status by scoring 2786 ISO to the EOS 6D’s 2340 and the EOS 5D Mark III’s 2293 ISO. It is actually this slightly lower ISO score for the EOS 5D Mark III that has caused it to drop 1 DxOMark point compared to the other cameras.

Which camera of these three that you choose should therefore be decided by what you want to shoot? If you are a landscape photographer, the EOS 6D will serve you better. If portraits are more you main subject, then the EOS 5D Mark III will be best and if you shoot in low light, at weddings, sports events or as a photojournalist, then the EOS-1D X makes the most sense.

EOS 6D vs EOS 1Ds Mark III vs EOS-1Ds Mark II

As a final comparison, let’s look at how Canon’s full-frame sensors have evolved over the last few years.

These three cameras represent a transect through the last 8 years of Canon CMOS sensor development. Interestingly, the overall scores for these three cameras are not that different. There is a jump between the EOS-1Ds Mark II and EOS-1Ds Mark III, but the EOS 6D actually out performs the other two models.

In terms of Color Depth, the EOS-1Ds Mark III is at the top, with 24bits, but the EOS 6D is only fractionally behind on 23.8bits. For Dynamic Range, again the EOS-1Ds Mark II is behind, as expected, but the EOS 6D is now on top. Again however, the difference is not that great, and certainly not enough to be visible in final prints.

It’s in ISO performance where the biggest differences appear. The EOS-1Ds Mark II and EOS-1Ds Mark III both score just either side of 1500 ISO (1480 and 1663 respectively). The EOS 6D though shows a marked improvement, with a score of 2340 ISO.

Looking in a little more detail, we can see from the SNR 18% chart, that the EOS 6D outperforms the older models at all ISO settings, pointing to a good improvement from Canon.

Despite the improvements in ISO performance, the Dynamic Range at low ISO settings shows a slight increase from EOS-1Ds Mark II to EOS-1Ds Mark III, but very little improvement in the 5 years since then.

Considering the EOS-1Ds Mark III was the pinnacle of Canon cameras when it launched in 2007 and had a price tag of $7100 USD, the EOS 6D shows a major benefit in trickle down technology and now offers matching or better performance, with almost the same resolution, for only $2099 USD.

Further readings for the Canon EOS 6D review: The best value for money in the EOS range?

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

First replies for this comment

Re: Canon EF 17-35 f2.8L USM

Hi,Thank your for your feedback, and our apologies for the late reply. The Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8 is not in the road map, and we cannot assure you it will be reviewed, since not-so-recent lenses are unfortunately not in our top-priority testing list. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Lens addition(s) to Canon 6D 24-105 f/4L kit

Greetings, DxOMark! I recently purchased a Canon 6D paired with a 24-105 f/4L kit. Since the 24-105 f/4L is a general-purpose lens, I'm under the impression that there might be a need to augment my kit with primes and/or other zooms.

In what focal length(s) does the 24-105 f/4L underperform? Wide angle? Portraiture? Both?

In any event, what lens addition(s) would you recommend to augment my kit?

First replies for this comment

Re: Lens addition(s) to Canon 6D 24-105 f/4L kit

Hi,

Thank you for contacting us, and for your support to DxOMark! Comments on our readers' own use experience are more than welcome.You can check the results here: http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Canon/EF24-105mm-f-4L-IS-USM-mounted-on-Canon-EOS-6D__836

video performance of Sigma 35mm f 1,4

I purchased a Sigma 35mm lens for my 6d based on your review. The lens is sharp for stills, but have noticed it looses significant sharpness when used for video. My Canon 50mm f 1,4 is much sharper for video. Do you know why this might be? I am considering returning the lens because the video quality is significantly compromised in video.

Re: 70-200 Tamron

First, I own neither lens, so I should be careful when stating opinions on them.

On the other hand, I have looked at the charts on The Digital Picture website, and from that I'd have to say that the Canon is still significantly better than the Tamron. When shooting wide open at 200mm, the Tamron gets noticeably softer all over, but particularly in the corners. At 70mm, sure, they are similar, but from the charts at least, the Canon is significantly better on the long end and off the center.

Interestingly, the charts here do not show the same thing, which surprises me. On TDP, the softness of the Tamron is quite pronounced at 200mm compared to the Canon. Quality Control perhaps?

Re: 70-200 Tamron

I would also like to have some feedback on this as I'm thinking between proved quality of canon and so,e issued on tamron.I'm divided between this Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 VR and Canon 70-200/f4 IS

Hi Terjeber,

Thank you for contacting us, and sorry for the late reply.The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD achieves a very good score. The only lens that could compete with is the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8.Feel free to check the comparison here : http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Canon-EF70-200mm-f28L-IS-II-USM-on-Canon-EOS-6D-versus-Tamron-SP-70-200mm-F28-Di-VC-USD-Canon-on-Canon-EOS-6D___408_836_1027_836

6D or D600 ?

Give me a stupid question, between the D600 vs 6D which to choose here, really difficult to choose specific, I usually shoot M mode and RAW files (now I'm using 60D, Nikon better if I would have can find it). With 24-105 lens on 6D which lost 24-85 on the D600 is a bit sad for the price of 2 Canon lens and the difference is quite far: cost (6D + 24-105L)> (D600 + 24 -85), little more money I can buy Nikon 85f1.8, says far more about the 24-70 lens that Nikon Canon lower prices so more than 2 tubes mounted on the D600 6D and which one will look better !Please help me with 1 way most viable option for FF series this low price! Thank you! ....

First replies for this comment

Re: 6D or D600 ?

Quote:

Give me a stupid question, between the D600 vs 6D which to choose here, really difficult to choose specific, I usually shoot M mode and RAW files (now I'm using 60D, Nikon better if I would have can find it). With 24-105 lens on 6D which lost 24-85 on the D600 is a bit sad for the price of 2 Canon lens and the difference is quite far: cost (6D + 24-105L)> (D600 + 24 -85), little more money I can buy Nikon 85f1.8, says far more about the 24-70 lens that Nikon Canon lower prices so more than 2 tubes mounted on the D600 6D and which one will look better !Please help me with 1 way most viable option for FF series this low price! Thank you! ....

wide angle zoom lenses on 6D

Is it correct that the older 28-70mmf 2.8 L Canon lens is sharper than the first version of the 24-70mm f2.8 L lens when used on the 6D? Is this at all settings? When the initial 24-70mm lens was released, testing indicated that is was sharper than the older 28-70mm.

First replies for this comment

Re: wide angle zoom lenses on 6D

Hello!

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

It is right and not …. Sometimes lens measurements are diffcult to summarize: The sharpness score is slightly higher on the 28-70 but if you check the field map at the wider aperture you will noticed that the older lens is less homogenous.Check the comparison here:http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/%28lens1%29/165/%28brand%29/Canon/%28camera1%29/836/%28lens2%29/168/%28brand2%29/Canon/%28camera2%29/836

Wide angle zooms for 6d

Is it correct that the older 28-70mmf 2.8 L Canon lens is sharper than the first version of the 24-70mm f2.8 L lens when used on the 6D? Is this across all settings? When the original 24-70 was released testing found it to be optically superior to the 28-70.

First replies for this comment

Re: Wide angle zooms for 6d

Hello!

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

It is right and not …. Sometimes lens measurements are diffcult to summarize: The sharpness score is slightly higher on the 28-70 but if you check the field map at the wider aperture you will noticed that the older lens is less homogenous.Check the comparison here:http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/%28lens1%29/165/%28brand%29/Canon/%28camera1%29/836/%28lens2%29/168/%28brand2%29/Canon/%28camera2%29/836

Equal to D600 ???

How can you write that 6D has equal image quality than D600 when 6D paired to its best lens, the sigma 85mm f/1.4, has a overall score of 34, and D600 scores 40 with its own 85mm f/1.8 (not even mentioning the nikkor 85mm f/1.4 wich is overprice and to stay below the best lense for canon)...

First replies for this comment

Re: Equal to D600 ???

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

Please have a look at our title for this part : “Canon EOS 6D versus Nikon D600: IQ of D600 is slightly higher”, I think we agree :)For the first part, we tried to compare some lenses that should provide very close optical results on both systems. That is why we did not mention the Nikon 85mm but the Sigma 85 and 35mm.

Scores?

I like these specific roundups, very useful for owners of the cameras involved. But I'm a little confused by how the overall scores are tallied. The Canon 100mm F2 EF rates above the Zeiss 100mm F2 ZE by one point, but a closer look at the scores for individual areas shows the Zeiss to equal (transmission, vignetting) or better (sharpness, chromatic aberration, distortion) the Canon in all areas. How then does it rate as one point worse overall? Is it because it doesn't auto-focus on the 6D? How many points are awarded for AF.

First replies for this comment

Re: Scores?

Hello,

Thanks for your comment and your support.

DxOMark score does not depend on the optical scores.It depends on the measurement perfomed for Sharpness, Distorsion, TStop, and shading. Noise, dynamic range and Color depth are taken into account too.